Apparatus for producing pulp without heat



May 9, 1933. H. E. ELLIS APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING PULP WITHOUT HEAT Filed Dec: 19, 1929 4 Sheet s-Sheet l INVENTOR. flan" ZZZFZZL'S & y

. ATTORNE OOO May 9, 1933. H, E. ELLIS APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING PULP WITHOUT HEAT 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 19. 1929 INVENTOR.

May 9, 1933. E, EL| 1,908,590

APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING PULP WITHOUT HEAT Filed Dec. 19, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVEN TOR.

May 9, 1933. H. ELLIS APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING PULP WITHOUT HEAT Filed Dec. 19, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR.

.4 TTORNEY.

Patented May 9, 1933 v UNITED STATES PATENT ()FFICE HARRY E. ELLIS, OF JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING PULP WITHOUT HEAT Application filed December 19, 1929. Serial No. 415,268.

The invention relates to a chemical process a fibrous body for predetermined periods,

and apparatus for the production of paper next separating the chemical solution from pulp from various grasses, such for instance the pulp and finally recirculating the sepaas napier, papyrus, ramie, bamboo, spartina rated chemical solution. Also to supply to grass and others, which contain strong fibres, said recirculating chemical solution fresh preferably have rapid growth and heavy material in predetermined quantity. yield per acre; preferably perennials. A further object is to provide a pulp pm- A further object is to produce pulp for ducing apparatus comprising independent the paper and other idustries by a chemical receptacles for the reception of shredded 10 process, using plant material of a fibrous vegetable fibrous material, an electrolytic denature and without the use of heat. vice, means for supplying a brine solution A further object is to reduce the fibrous to the electrolytic device, means for conductplant material to a bleach pulp by subjecting caustic soda solution and chlorine from ing the same to a cold chemical action of sai electrolytic device to the receptacles,

15 caustic soda solution and chlorine altermeans whereby said solutions may be altera5 na-tely. v nately discharged into said receptacles.

A further object is to provide a process of A further object is to provide a pulp proproducing pulp from vegetable fibrous maducing apparatus comprising tanks indeterial comprising subjecting a mass of matependent of each other for the reception of 10 rial alternately to the action of different vegetable fibrous material, an electrolytic dechemicals, preferably caustic soda solution vice for producing a caustic soda solution and chlorine, varying the time of each appliand chlorine, valve controlled pipe means cation according to the material and finally for delivering said caustic soda solution and compressing the pulp so formed. chlorine" alternately to the tanks for prede- A further object is to provide a process termined periods, a pulp compressor, means for producing pulp comprising first producfor conveying the treated pulp from the ing in an electrolytic device caustic soda sollltanks to the compressor, means for conveytion and chlorine, next alternately treating ing the solution separated from the pulp to fibrous V g l m i W h Sfi'id Callstlc the electrolytic device for recirculation to 0 sodasolution and chlorine for predetermined th apparatus d means f l i hi Permds and finally mp g mammal the solution during its recirculation with the so treated and separating the solution therebrine solution. from- I A further object is to provide means for 5 A furthe? Oblect 15 to PI a process supplying liquid, preferably water, to the producmg P comPnsmg first .electro' pulp discharged from the compressor, therelytically producing caustic soda solution and by allowing the pulp to be pumped to a point a e ea er.

periods to the body of fibrous ve etable mater rial, next floatingthe disintegratid pulp from further Oblect Is to P W rotatable the top of the body of fibrous material, next agitators 1n the tanks for agitating the matescreening the material so floated, then comdurmg the chemlfial treatment 9 pressing the screened material separating the mtegmtmgiand bleachlng and P the salt solution therefrom, delivering the sepapp polftlons the tanks Wlth sflll'eened rated salt solution to the electrolytic producchambers lnto Whwh the treated pu p is fl ating point and adding to said salt solution in d and means for onveying the treated pulp its course to the electrolytic producing point. h a Caustic a l i n h rein from he A further object is to provide a process for chambers 'to a screening device, preferably producing pulp by the use of a caustic soda interposed in the apparatus for screening the solution and chlorine alternately applied to treated material before it is delivered to the pulp compressor for separating the chemi- I cal solution therefrom.

A further object is to form the tanks conically shaped with their apexes downwardly disposed and the tanks linedwith plastic material, for instance concrete and to place the rotatable agitators in the lower ends of the tanks.

A further object is to provide the upper ends of the tanks with endless chambers extending around the same and having their inner walls formed from screens and valve controlled outlets for the chambers.

With the above and other objects in view the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts as hereinafter set forth, shown in the drawings, described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention may be made within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of the device.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the device.

Figure 3 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view through one of the tanks.

supplied with electric energy from any suit-v able source. Theelectrolytic cell casings 2 are connected together by a brine pipe 4, and which pipe conducts brine to the various cell casings 2 from the brine supply tank 5 when the valve 5a is opened. The supply of brine within the supply tank 5 is replenished from time to time during the recirculation of the solution as hereinafter set forth from the brine mixing tank-6 through the pipe 7 when the valve 8 is opened. The addition of brine is for the purpose of maintaining the recirculating solution at the proper strength for obtaining maximum results Disposed ad acent one side of the electrolytic cells is a pipe 9 having branch pipes 10 extending into the cell casin 2 for taking off the caustic soda solution t rough the pipe 9, and branch p pe 11 when the pump 12' is in voperation WhlCh creates a suction, and which pump is of con- 1 ventional construction, and discharges the caustic solutionzupwardly through the pipe 13, thence through the three way valve 14 to the discharge pipes 15 and 16, whlch dlscharge pipes terminate above and dischar e downwardly into the chemical mixing tan s Aand B.

Disposed to the opposite side of the electrolytic casings 2 from the caustic soda pipe 9 is a pipe 17, through which chlorine generated by the cells passes after passing through the branch pipes 18, and the movement of the chlorine through pipes 17 and 18 is caused by the suction pump 19, which discharges the chlorine upwardly through the pipe 20 Y to the three way valve 21, and by means of the three way valve the chlorine can be directed thro'ugh either of the branch pipes 22 and 23 to either tank A or B. By providing three way valves 14 and 21,'it is obvious that when a batch of material is being treated in either of the tanks, it can be subjected alternately to the action of the caustic soda solution and chlorine, thereby disintegrating the fibres and breaking down the plant structure rapidly, and at the same time bleaching the material.

Pumps 12 and 19 are simultaneously operated by a driven shaft 24 which rhas driving connections 25 with a countershaft 26, and which countershaft is driven by a motor 27, which may be located in any convenient position, all of which structure is of a conventional form.

In operation shredded vegetable fibrous material is deposited into a hopper 28 from any suitable source, for instance from a shredding machine as set forth in patent issued to me #1358302 November 9, 1920,

crusher and shredder, however applicant does not limit himself to this particular type of shredder. The hopper 28 is provided with downwardly extending pipes 29 termlnating above the tanks A and B, and disposed in said discharge pipes 29 are control valves 30 adapted to be manipulated for d1scharging material into the tanks as deslred.

The tanks A and B are similarly constructed therefore one will be described in detail, and the reference numerals will be applied to both. The tank A is preferably frusto conically shaped withits apex downwardly disposed and comprises a metallic shell 31 having a relatively thick lining 32 formed from plastic material, for instance concrete to resist the action of the chemicals d in reducing the material to pul and a soforming a .roughsurface whic will help to break up the fibre ofthe material. Rotatably mounted in the lower end of the tank is a vertically disposed shaft 33 having a bladed agitator 34 on the upper end thereof within the tank, and which agitator is continuously rotated during the pulp treating operation for thoroughly mixing the pulp and solution for disintegrating purposes, and in a manner whereby the broken upfibres will rise to the tops of the tanks. Shafts 33 are provided with bevelled gears porting legs 41, preferably four in number,

thereby rigidly supporting the tanks and the weights. Legs 41 are preferably provided with brace bars 42. It will be noted that the tanks A and B are for purposes ofgeneral arrangement disposed adjacent each other so that the various chemical pipe lines may be symmetricall arranged, and by the particular shape 0 the tanks, a great deal of the mechanism, for instance motors, may be disposed partially beneath the tanks.

Tank A at its upper end terminates in a horizontal flange 43, to which is secured by means of bolts 47 an annular member 48, which is right angularly shaped in vertical transverse cross section and has secured to its upper portion by means of an angle bar 49 and brace bars 50 which form an annular pulp and chemical receiving chamber 51. Connected to the inner sides of the members 48 and 50 are spaced vertically disposed bars 52, which form clamping means for the screen copper annular members 53, through the mesh of which the disintegrated and bleached pulp passes to the chambers 51. The level of pulp and chemical within the tank is preferably maintained about one half the ele vation of the screen members 53, and which result is accomplished by manipulating the three way valve 14 and 19.

In the treatment of the pulp with both tanks full, the three way valve 14 is opened for allowing discharge of the caustic soda solution into both tanks," and after subjecting the pulp to this chemical action for the desired length of time to obtain the result, according to the nature of the fibrous material, valve 14 is closed and valve 21 opened, therefore it will be seen that chlorine is discharged into the tank, which will not only assist in the disintegrating operation, but will act as bleaching agent.

Connected to the pulp discharge troughs 51 at opposite sides thereof are discharge pipes 54 which lead to the intake pipe 55 of the screening machine 56, and which screening machine is driven by means of an electric motor 57 having a belt connection 58 with the pulley 59 of the screening machine. The pulp and the solution mixed therewith is discharged from the screening machine into a trough 60 which discharges into the trough 61.

Dis osed beneath thedischarge end of the troug 61 and preferably beneath a portion of the chemical tank A is a conventional form of screw press 62 and into which the pulpand solution pass. The screw press 62 is operated by a conventional form ofmotor 63, and when in operation compresses the chemical saturated pulp, separating the liquid from the pulp and discharging the same through the discharge hopper 64 into the tank 65, and the substantially dry pulp ,into the stuff chest 66 for transfer to a conventional form of beater 67 through mechanism hereinafter set forth. It will be noted that the pulp has been disintegrated and the chemical squeezed therefrom into the tank 65, and as the chemical solution can be reused if again placed in the brine supply tank 5, therefore to accomplish-this result, a suction pipe 68 carried by a centrifugal pump 69 is provided, and which suction pipe extends downwardly into tank 65. Pump 69 is driven by a conventional form of motor 70. Connected to the pump 69 is a discharge pipe 71, which discharge pipe leads to and discharges into the brine supply tank 5, and from which brine supply tank the solution is recirculated through the electrolytic casings 2 as above set forth by the pumps 12 and 19. The above operation continues with diiferent batches of material in the tank.

Slidably mounted within the annular chambers 51 of the tanks are plate valves 72 controlled by handles 73, and by means of which valves the operator can discharge the contents from the annular chambers 51 as desired, and when the ulp is disintegrated and bleached. As the c emical solution recirculates additional brine solution may be supplied by opening the valve 8 controlling the flow from the brine mixing tank 6 to the brine supply tank 5.

As the pulp discharged into the stufl chest 66 from the screw press 62 is relatively dry, it is obvious to handle the same by pumping operation that liquid should be applied thereto. To accomplish this result the water supply pipe 7 4 is provided having a control valve 75, therefore it will be n that the pulp can be'reduced to a liquid fo purposes,whereby it can be sucked through the intake pipe 76 to the pump 77, and which pump is operated by a motor 78. lhe wet pulp is discharged from the pump 77 through the discharge pipe 79 into the storage stuif chest 80, and from which stufl chest 80 the pulp is discharged for use as desired into the heater and washer 67 through the pipe 81 when the valve 82 is open. The beater and washer is of conventional construction.

From the above it will be seen that a process and apparatus for the production of pulp from fibrous vegetable material by a cold chemical operation is provided, which allows the pulp. to be alternately subjected to the action of caustic soda solution and chlorine and that two batches of material can be banfor pumping dled at one time, thereby materially increasing the output of material, consequently reducing the cost of production. It will also be seen that the recirculating solution can be continuously used and means is provided for supplying fresh brine solution to the recirculating solution for maintaining proper grade of material.

The chlorine combines with the caustic soda solution forming hypochlorite of sodium.

The invention having been set forth what is claimed as new and useful is:

1. A pulp producing apparatus comprising a brine supply tank, conduit means for discharging brine from said tank, a chemical tank, an electrolytic device for producing caustic soda solution and chlorine and into which the brine tank discharges, pump means whereby said caustic soda solution and chlorine may be alternately discharged into the chemical tank from the electrolytic device and conduit means whereby pulp within the chemical tank can be discharged therefrom.

2. A pulp producing aparatus comprising a fibrous material receiving tank, a brine supply tank, an electrolytic device for the production of caustic soda and chlorine, conduit means whereby brine from the brine tank may be supplied to the electrolytic device and pump means whereby-the caustic soda solution and chlorine produced by the electrolytic device may be alternately discharged into the fibrous material receiving tan 3. A pulp plroducing apparatus comprising a fibrous material receiving tank, a brine supply tank, an electrolytic device for the production of caustic soda and clorine, means whereby brine from the brine tank may be supplied to the electrolytic device, pump means whereby the caustic soda and chlorine may be discharged into the fibrous material receiving tanks, valves whereby the caustic soda solution and chlorine may be discharged'alt-ernately into the fibrous material receiving tank and conduit whereby material within said tank may be discharged therefrom.

4. A pulp producing apparatus comprising a fibrous material receiving tank, a brine supply tank, an electrolytic device for the production of caustic soda and chlorine, means whereby brine from the brine supply tank may be discharged into the electrolytic device, means whereby caustic soda solution I and chlorine from the electrolytic device may be discharged alternately into the fibrous material receiving tank, means whereby material Within said tank may be discharged therefrom, means whereby chemical solu tions within the pulp is expressed therefrom and means whereby said expressed chemical solution is discharged into the brine tank.

5. A pulp producing apparatus comprising a fibrous material receiving tank, a brine supply tank, an electrolytic device for the production of caustic soda and chlorine, means whereby brine from the brine supply tank may be discharged into the electrolytic device, means whereby caustic soda solution and chlorine from the electrolytic device may be discharged alternately into the fibrous material receiving tank, means whereby material within said tank may be discharged therefrom, means whereby chemical solution within the pulp is expressed therefrom, means whereby said expressed chemical solution is discharged into the brine tank and means whereby fresh brine may be added to the solution in the brine tank as desired.

6. A pulp producing apparatus comprising separate fibrous material tanks, a brine supply tank, an electrolytic device for the production of caustic soda solution. and chlorine, conduit means whereby brine from the brine tank may be discharged into the electrolytic device, valve controlled pump means whereby the caustic soda solution and chlorine may be alternately discharged into the fibrous material receiving tanks and conduit means whereby material within said tanks may be alternately discharged therefrom.

7. A pulp producing apparatus comprising separate fibrous material tanks, a brine supply tank, an electrolytic device for the production of caustic soda solution and chlorine, means whereby brine from the brine tank may be discharged into the electrolytic device, means whereby the caustic soda solution and chlorine may be alternately discharged into the fibrous material receiving tanks, means whereby pulp material within said tank may be discharged therefrom, a press for expressing the chemical solution from the pulp and means for discharging the expressed chemical solution into the brine tank.

8. A pulp producing apparatus comprising separate fibrous material tanks, a brine supply tank, an electrolytic device for the production of caustic soda solution and chlorine, means whereby brine from the brine tank may be discharged into the electrolytic device, means whereby caustic soda solution and chlorine may be alternately discharged into the' fibrous materialreceiving tanks, means whereby pulp material within said tanks may be discharged therefrom, means for expressing chemical solution from the pulp, means for discharging the expressed chemical solution into the brine tank for recirculation, and means for supplying brine solution to the brine 'tank during the recirculation.

9. An apparatus for the production of pulp comprising a pulp receiving tank, means for discharging fibrous material into said tank, valve controlled pump means for solutions into the tank, the upper end of said tank being provided with a pulp receiving chamber, the inner wall of said chamber being perforated for allowing passage of pulp from the tank to the chamber and conduit means for discharging the pulp from said chamber.

10. The combination with a pulp forming apparatus having separate chemical tanks for the reception of fibrous material, means for subjecting said fibrous material to a chemical treatment, of chambers carried by said tanks and into which pulp chemically formed passes, said chambers having perforated walls through which pulp passes to the chambers, a single pulp press and conduits whereby pulp from the chambers may be alternately discharged into the pulp press.

11. The combination with a pulp forming apparatus havin separate chemical tanks for the reception of brous material, a pulp press, pump conduit means for subjecting said fibrous material to alternately different chemical treatment in the tanks, of chambers carried by said tanks and into which pulp chemically treated and formed passes, said chambers havin walls provided with passes through WhlCh pulp passes to the chambers, valve control means within said tank chambers whereby ulp from the chambers may be discharged mto the single pulp press, said press forming means'for expressing chemicals from the pulp from both tanks and means for recirculating said chemicals.

12. The combination with a pulp forming apparatus having separate chemical tanks for the reception of fibrous vegetable material, means for subjecting said fibrous material alternately to the action of separate chemicals, of conduits for discharging the pulp alternately from the tanks, single press means for expressing the chemicals from the'pulp so formed, conduits for recirculating the chemicals for independent alternate application to subse uent fibrous material in tank and branc pipe supply means for strengthening the chemical solution during their recirculation.

In testimony whereof he hereunto aflixes his signature.

HARRY E. ELLIS. 

